Gov. Inslee announced an executive order October 7 aimed at ending the opioid crisis in our state. WSHA and WSMA applauded the order, as the opioid crisis represents one of the largest public health issues facing our state.
Earlier this year, WSHA and WSMA came together to create the Joint Opioid Safe Practices Task Force, which is focused on improving and implementing safe prescribing practices and pain management as well as opioid abuse prevention and addiction support.
Together we have already taken significant steps to help prevent opioid abuse, including leading statewide efforts to educate physicians on best practices for safe, effective and appropriate prescribing.
The ER is for Emergencies program, which started in 2012, implemented several practices related to identifying patients who were struggling with addiction or pain management problems. We also strongly support the prescription monitoring program and encourage providers to use the program’s database to check a patient’s medical history for red flags that indicate potential for opioid abuse. Click here to read more. (Mary Kay Clunies-Ross)
